Local election 2018: Labour holds Barking and Dagenham

Barking and Dagenham Council has maintained its Labour majority in its second clean sweep in as many elections, with all 51 seats up for election.

The vote marked a family affair, with council leader Darren Rodwell's daughter, Emily Rodwell, winning her first council seat in the Eastbury Ward.

The leader remarked: "I'm extremely proud of our fantastic local election results. They show that residents have faith in our vision for the borough and support our fight against government austerity. I look forward to continuing to work together with our partners to ensure that no one is left behind in Barking and Dagenham."